Machine for installing metal mine props



Jan. 10, 1956 J. M. QUONIAM MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Filed Aug. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet l J. M. QUONIAM MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Filed Aug. 10, 1954 Jan. 10, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w 5 Q N 1:00 w. 0| HniiH k mm v m ll. Q A

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J. M. QUONIAM MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Jan. 10, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 10, 1954 .J .JI/ l a n n n a n 1 I 1 U I I I I 4 I I 1 l l u V w h I I I l l 1 l l l I I l l I I l l I l l l l A I l I l I I I I n I l l 1 ll 1 u m I! .1. ..1|... -T- --...|.......T/ n w g Jan. 10, 1956 J. M. QUONIAM 2,

MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Filed Aug. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 10, 1956 J. M. QUONIAM MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Filed Aug. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 rwiifi JET;

Jan. 10, 1956 J. M. QUONIAM 2,729,945

MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Filed Aug. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent MACHINE FOR INSTALLING METAL MINE PROPS Jean Maurice Quoniam, Neunkirchen-I-Ieinitz, Saar Territory, assignor to Saarbergwerke, Saarbrucken, Saar Territory, a corporation of the Saar Application August 10, 1954, Serial No. 448,974

Claims priority, application France September 12, 1953 Claims. (Cl. 61-63) This invention relates to a machine adapted to be used in a mine plant for mechanically holding, orienting and extending a metal prop.

The main object of the invention is to provide means for bringing the prop to the exact location required with the various inclinations which are determined by the characteristic of the particular plant, and to provide high pressure, hydraulic means for extending the prop after same has been set in place. It is thus possible merely by driving the clamping key or wedge into the lock of the prop, to let the prop in place permanently clamped under the maximum setting pressure with regard to the type of lock provided in the prop.

To this end, the prop is placed in a cradle open upwardly, its upper body being adapted to be moved by a cross-beam carried by said cradle and adapted to be moved in due time by hydraulic means away from said cradle, whereby the body inside the prop is prevented from longitudinal movement within the cradle, while the upper body is automatically made rigid with the movable crossbeam in thedirection of the extension by wedge cam means.

This cradle is rotatably mounted in rollers which are guided in longitudinal rollways and may be adjustably moved therein. Thereafter, it may be automatically brought into vertical position with the prop at the point where it is required to beset. The rollways and the mechanism for moving and pivoting the prop-carrying cradle are part of an operating frame adapted to longitudinally slide upon' a second frame which is, in turn, laterally slidable upon a base carried about a transverse axis on an annular ring with respect to which it is maintained in parallel relationship by two hydraulic jacks, disposed in a longitudinal plane and which make it possible for said parallelism to be momentarily destroyed when needed.

The assembly of the annular ring and the various bases and frames connected thereto is rotatably movable on a support, which in turn, is longitudinally and transversely rockable on a first base carried on wheels. 1

This first base is provided with power moving means, hauling winches, as well as means for feeding the hydraulic apparatus carried by the structure and connect ing means for the supply fluids.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description of one specific embodiment of the invention, shown by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, with some parts shown in section or being broken away, with the prop in loading and travel position i. e. horizontal and transverse to the wheels of the first base.

Fig. 2 isan elevational view at right angles and corresponding to the view of Fig. 1, also with similar sections and parts broken away. f I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, with some parts in section while the work frame nd the cradle which carries the prop are brokenaway injparts.

Figs. 4 and 5 are a top and a longitudinal elevational view respectively of the prop-carrying cradle, and

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the whole machine under working conditions in a mine plant.

The machine illustrated in the drawings comprises a first base adapted to be moved on the ground by means of wheels, tracks or shoes, said base being composed of lateral longitudinal box-type members 1 carried oh wheels 2 and assembled by cross members (not shown) which provide for a non-obstructed space near the centre of said ase.

In the middle portion of the longitudinal members 1 are provided two cylindrical recesses 3 which have a common transverse axis at right angles to the plane of symmetry of the base 1 and to the direction of motion of said base.

In both cylindrical recesses 3 is supported complementary cylindrical part 4 which forms the shoe of a lateral part 5 of a second base, comprised of both said lateral parts 5 united by an intermediate box member 6, the upper face 7 of which is a portion of a hollow cylindrical surface, the axis ofwhich is at right angles to that of said cylindrical parts 4 and to their. axial plane of symmetry and which is located in the plane of sym metry of the lateral parts 5, a plane which is, at the same time, the plane of symmetry of the first base.

The outer lateral faces of 4 are vertically arranged and are exteriorly fitted with circular sectors 8 of a larger diameter pierced with a number of holes 11 arranged on a circle. A pin 9 may be introduced into any of said holes 11 through each sector in register With a hole 12 through the corresponding face of 1, in order to determine the longitudinal inclination of the second base the circular shoes 5 of which then rotatably slide within the recesses 3 of the first base.

Adapted to pivot in the concave face 7 of the intermediate box member 6 is the corresponding cylindrical shoe 13 of an oscillating support 14 the shoe 13 of which is bounded, on the lower wall thereof by planar base portions 15. To said portions 15 are secured sectors 16, similar to the sectors 8 and pierced with holes 17 adapted to determine the inclination of the support 14 withrespect to the intermediate box members: 6, by means of pins 18 driven through the required holes 17 and each entering a hole 19 pierced through the corresponding vertical face of 6.

The upper portion of the hollow oscillating support 14 is formed into an annular flange 21 with planar faces and circular outline serving as a support for guiding and securing same to an annular part 22. Carried by said annular part 22 and diametrically arranged are bosses 23 symmetrical with respect to the axis of the annular part 22. Two pins 24 arranged coaxially and parallel with the planar faces of the annular part 22 are rotatably mounted in said bosses 23 for supporting two yoke pieces 25 which carry the base 26 of the main frame of the machine.

In a plane of symmetry at right angles to the pins 24, the base 26 carries two other yoke pieces 27 located between said yoke pieces 25. The pins 28 of the yoke pieces 25, which are parallel to the pins 24 serve as a pivot for the heads 29 of two hydraulic jacks 31 the pistons 32 of which are pivoted on pins 33 carried near the bottom by the hollow oscillating support 14 by a vertical part 34 rigid with a diametrical member 35 of the upper part 22 be,- tween the bosses 23.

The base 26 supports an intermediate frame 30 which is guided by tenons movable in slideways 36 which are parallel with the pins 24. The intermediate frame 30, in its turn, supports a main frame 38 guided by tenons movable in slideways 37 at right angles to the pins 24. Thus, the main frame may be moved transversely and longitudirially' a given limited distance on either side of the planes of-symmetry of the base 26. g

Such movements are aided or limited by known means which have not been shown for the sake of clearness in the drawings."

Longitudinally movable on the frame 38 is the workframe 39 which. is mainly comprised of a central floor 41 with reinforced lateral parts 42 resting on transverse cros'smembers43 adapted to slide in longitudinal groves 44 inside the elevated lateral parts of the frame 38. v

Integral with said frame 39 are two iron channels 45 longitudinally arranged with their bases directed vertically. These channels are secured to the reinforcing parts 42 and symmetrically arranged with respect to the middle plane of the frame 39 with their legs respectively facing each. other. I

Within these iron channels 45 are accommodated four rollers, .namelyt wo rollers 46' coaxially aligned'and two rollers 47 similarly mounted.

Said rollers are connected by pairs, on one side,by means of longitudinal plates 48.

The spindles 51 of the rollers 46 are freely engaged through a bore 49 in the corresponding plate 48, whereas the spindles of the rollers 47 are secured in the corresponding plate 48. w v

The spindles 51 of the rollers 46 are also adapted to rotate in said rollers and are rigidly secured to a cradle 52 vwhich may be moved and tilted together with said spindles ortrunnions. i

The spindles 51 extend through the corresponding bases or, the iron'channels 45 through openings 53 provided lengthwise thereof parallel with their side faces. Said spindles 51 terminate into a part 54 serving as a crankarm for rotating and shifting said spindles 51, as it will be explained further on. v

' The cradle 52, for instance madeof united metal sheets, has a central housing 55 longitudinally arranged and open upwards and toward the ends thereof. Said housing is 7 adapted to accommodate the lower body 56 of the prop the lock of which is retained near the upper part of the prop, by turned-in edges 58 of the cradle 52which allow the upper body 59 of the prop to extend therebetween, said lock 57 being also maintained, loosely, downwardly by shoulders 58a of the cradle 52.

On each side of the lower body of the prop, pushing cylind'ers'61are secured in the cradle 52 by means of vertical pivots 60. The piston rods 62 of said cylinders are secured to a movable frame cross member 63 open upwardly in order to allow the upper body 59 of the prop to extend therethrough. On both sides thereof the body 59 is in engagement with clamping cam members 64 adapted to press upon the upper body in order to raise it when fluid pressure is admitted into the pushing cylinder 61.

. The shifting and tilting movements of this cradle together with the prop carried thereby are effected as follows:

The crankarms 54 are provided on their outer faces with radial grooves 65 having a T-shaped cross-section each receiving the ball 66 of a finger 67 which is movable together with a Galle chain 68 flexing over two power sprocket wheels 69 and 70. 4 I v M Each chain 68 and the corresponding finger 67 are driven by the rotational movement of the power-sprocket wheel 69 together with the possible rolling movement of the spindles of the rollers 46 and 46:: which are guided within channels 45. I v

This motionof the finger 67 within the grove 65 tends 'to' rotate the crankarm 54 and the prop-carrying cradle 52, through its spindle 51. r

Said rotational'movement of the cradle 52, which takes place in the direction of the arrow 71 when the power sprocket wheel 69 is rotated in this directionfis prevented as long as the cradle bears downwardly upon the central floor 41 and the pressure of the finger 67 agains the groove causes the cradle to be carried along by the chain 68 toward the sprocket wheel 70. Arranged under the floor 41 is a metal plate 72 adapte to slide in longitudinal grooves 73 provided under the floor 41 and above the cross members 43. Said metal plate 72 has one end freely overhanging the floor 41 and downwardly bent as at 74. V

The cradle 52 issubjected first to a translational movement with its end 75 in sliding engagementupon the plate 72. Assoon as said end skips out of the downwardly bent portion 74 of said plate the cradle begins rotating keeping in tangential contact with the rounded portion 74 of the plate. The length of the translational travel of the cradle may be varied by proper adjustment of the location of the bent portion 74, which is achieved by means not shown, making it possible to position lengthwise the plate 72 in the grooves 73. V

The cradle and the prop are thus moved while in a horizontal position and then'tilted to the vertical at the moment requiredwhich is a function of the position of the plate 72 and its rounded portion 74, making it pos sible'when it isdesirabIe, to set the prop quite near the face of the workings. 'In the case of thick layers, it is possible for the prop to be set directly in a vertical position in the carriage brought beforehand to the end of the work frame. v v i When'it is desired toset the prop at a greater distance from the axis of the machine, the work frame 39 is first slida'blysh'ifted in the slideways 44 of the frame 38.

This sliding rnovement is controlled by means of any known means (not shown) for the sake of clearness in the drawings.

'When'the prop is set a short distance from the machine and when the latter is moved, the frame 38 and the base '39'are securedtogether' by means of'bolted fish plates 77.

The sprocket wheel 69 which shifts the cradle and the prop and eifects' the setting of the latter after having tilted it, is caused to rotate by'a gear 78 rigid with the sprocket wheel 69, said gear 78 being itself driven by a chain 79 which connects it to a gear 81 of a larger diameter and r'igidwith a pinion 82. This pinion 82 is also driven by a' ch'ain'83 and a gear 84 rigid with a pinion 85. All these gears have their shafts rotatably mounted in immovable positions with respect to the work frame.

"The inion 85 is 'in meshing engagement with a rack '86 rigid with a'; cylinder 87, for instance a hydraulic cylinder, which is guided 'in the parts 88 serving as a protective"housing for the mechanism and as a support therefor in the'work frame. The piston of the cylinder 87 has its "rod 89 secured to the work frame.

. As "illustrated, the above described mechanisms are duplicated symmetrically on both sides of the plane of symmetryof'the machine base. v

The inclinations of the prop at the time of setting may be'determined by means of the devices described, by the angles assumed'bythe base 26 and the frames supported thereby, normally maintained in parallel relation with the'ring 22 by the jacks 31, whereby the prop, at the time of setting, is tilted for example at right angles to cally' indicated by eager-ran in Fig. 1, distributing members and supply cou plin'gsfas at 94, the hydraulic pump "supplying'thefiacks as at together with its motor as at '96, and at 97 a motor for propelling the machine and its traction winch at 98. All of these elements are of known types andltheirlocations have been briefly indieated by'wayiof example only.

The operation of the machine under various conditions is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the machine is operated with the work frame 39 shifted all the way out of the frame 38, which makes it possible to set props at a distance from the machine M1 sufficient for reaching over the obstacles constituted for example by the releasing means D1.

In Fig. 6, after the prop E1 is put in place, the prop E2 is set near the face of the workings and, thereafter (see Fig. 7), the machineis moved from M1 to M2 and the releasing means from Dr to D2, and then another prop is set as at E3, and so on.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the capacity of the machine when its length is reduced, with the work frame 39 retracted all the way on the frame 38 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is thus possible to set in place a permanent propping by means of props E4, E sufiiciently close to each other and supporting plates B immediately ahead and behind the machine brought, as at Ma, ahead of the last prop E3, E2.

Should a prop be set on the other side of the releasing means, the operation is carried out as follows:

With the work frame 39 parallel with the releasing apparatus and with the wheels 2 of the machine, the metal prop is laid in the cradle 52. The work frame 39 is then swung together with the frames 38, 30 and the base 26, by rotating the part 22 about the flange 21. If need be, the position of the base 26 is improved by an appropriate sliding movement of the frame 38 with respect to the base 26. The inclination of the base 26 is determined in accordance with the inclinations the prop assumes when in place, by tilting movement of the box member 6, the cylindrical parts 4 of which slide within the cylindrical recesses 3 and tilting movement of the oscillating support 14, by virtue of the cylindrical shoe 13 being in sliding engagement with the cylindrical concave face 7 of the box member 6.

Such inclinations are secured by inserting the pins 9 and 18 respectively, into the required holes of the sectors 8 and 16.

The work frame is then shifted in overhanging position on the frame 38 and is secured by means of the fish plates 77.

Fluid pressure is then admitted into the cylinders 87 and the racks 86 recede simultaneously therewith, resulting in the pinion 85 being rotated as well as the gears 84, 82, 81 and 78. The sprocket wheels 69 are then rotated and the chains 68 are shifted carrying with them the prop-carrying cradle 52 towards the ends 50 of the slideways 45, first without said cradle being tilted as previously explained.

From a given position, the cradle 52 while sliding on the end 74 of the plate 72 rotates on the spindles 51 of the rollers 46 under the action of the chains 68 upon the crankarms 54, so as to finally assume a position at right angles or substantially at right angles to the central floor 41. Said position is accurately secured to the required angle, according to the slope conditions, by means of the bosses 91 and 93 carried by 48 and 92 which come into mutual engagement, whereby 92 is angularly adjustable on the cradle which rotates on the trunnion 51.

After the prop-carrying cradle 52 has reached this position (the tilting movement being achieved by keeping the chains under taut condition), pressure fluid is introduced into both cylinders 61 which, through the medium of the piston rods 62 raise the movable crossmember 63 which in turn carries with it the upper body 59 of the prop by means of the cam members 64 wedged against it.

As soon as the head of the prop engages either a tail or a roof plate, or the base of such prop engages the ground, since it is impossible that the head and the base of the prop simultaneously come into bearing engagement, a stress is exerted against the slideways 45 and the bulk of the machine frames.

In order that such a stress which is aggravated by the length of the lever arm constituted by the slideways 45, does not either move or impair the machine, the jacks 31 come into play and allow, byvirtue of the articulations 24 and 28, the assembly carried by 26 to assume the required inclination with respect to the ring 22.

In order to adjust the pivoting point of the cradle hearing upon the part 54, the plate 72 has been conveniently shifted within the slideways 73.

In the case when props are to be set near one another, as illustrated in the diagrams of Fig. 8 and 9, it is accomplished in the same manner with the work frame retracted and secured in the position of Fig. 2 and the plate 72 retracted all the way in the slideway 73, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Furthermore the prop is set under load in order to exert considerable staying efforts, and locked by the key of the lock in order that said efforts be maintained. In both cases, a slight receding movement of the work frame makes it possible to clear a prop thus set into place.

Itwill be seen that this machine permits the setting with accuracy and under the most various orientations of props which are not only presented in their position but which, moreover are adapted to exert considerable staying efforts in their permanent position as soon as they are set in place.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the means for shifting and tilting the frames with respect to one another and to the base frame may be designed differently from those described.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for installing metal mine props, comprising an underframe, means for supporting and moving said underframe on the ground, an elongated supporting frame carried by said underfrarne and adapted to occupy at least a horizontal position, an elongated operating frame superimposed upon said supporting frame and adapted to slide on said supporting frame lengthwise thereof, a cradle supported by said operating frame and adapted to slide lengthwise of said operating frame, said cradle being adapted to accommodate a metal prop and to be tilted together with said prop when said cradle reaches one end of said operating frame, means carried by said operating frame for moving said cradle along; said operating frame, means for tilting said cradle when said cradle reaches said end of said operating frame, means carried by said cradle for expanding said prop.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting frame is rotatably supported on said under-- frame on an axis adapted to stand at least in a vertical. direction.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting frame is rotatably supported on said under-- frame through the medium of a circular platform theaxis of which is adapted to be tilted away from the" 5. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting frame is rotatably supported on said underframe through the medium of a circular platform the axis.

of which is adapted to be tilted away from the vertical in two planes at right angles to each other, and of two sets of slideways supported by said platform and directed:

transversely of the axis of said platform and at right angles to each other.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said means carried by said cradle for expanding said prop-- 7 comprise clamping means adapted to clamp the upper part of the 'prop,'said clamping means being urged away from said -cradle by power expanding means, the body of saidprop being lield in said cradle. V

7. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said means carried by said cradle for expanding said prop include two power cylinder and piston devices symmetrically carried in said Cradle with respect to said prop, and clamping means constituted by a cross member operatively connected to said power devices and fitted with cam means adapted to engage and clamp the upper part of saidprop when said cross-member is urged away fromsaid cradle by said power devices.

8. A machine as defined in claim'l, wherein said cradle is mounted on said operating frame through an assembly which comprises twotransverse trunnions rigid with said cradle and co-axially aligned, rollers freely rotatable on said trunnions, longitudinal rollw'aysv carried by said operating frame and adapted to receive said rollers, means for moving said trunnions lengthwise of said rollways, and means for rotating said trunnions in order to tilt said cradle.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said cradle is mounted on said operating frame through an assembly which comprises two transverse trunnionsrigid with said cradle'and co-axiallyaligned, rollers freely rotatable on said trunnions, longitudinal ,rollwa'ys carried by s'aid operating frame and adapted to receivesaid rollers, two arms respectively rigid with said'trunnio'nsand extending upwardly, two lateral, wheels rotatably supported on'transverse axes on each side of said operating frame, and substantially coplanar with said arms, twooperating clamps supported on said lateral wheels, driving, means forrotatlngat least one of said wheels on each side of said operating frame, and means carried by said clamps and adapted to engage and carry along said arms, whereby said cradle is moved along said operating frame to the end of said frame, and thereafter tilted by the rotational movement imparted to said trunnions: by said arms.

10. A machine according 'to claim 1, wherein said supporting frame is supported on said underframe by means including 'a pivoting connection having its axis transverse to said supporting frame and resilient connections adapted to yield under the reaction exerted either by the head of the prop against the 'roof or the foot of the prop on the. ground as the casemay be whatever engagement occurs first when the prop is being expanded.

No references cited. 

